Sunday Morning for Sunday 24 May 2020

7:10 Survey shows Kiwis confident about move to Level 1 

Research New Zealand's ninth weekly report on the impact the Covid-19 virus is having shows that Kiwis are cautiously optimistic about moving forward from Alert Level 2 restrictions to Alert Level 1, rather than moving backwards to Alert Level 3 restrictions. Research NZ managing partner Emanuel Kalafatelis is with us to discuss the latest survey. 

7:18 China looks to send message of control at National People's Congress  

The annual National People's Congress got underway in Beijing on Friday amid what the state media are calling 'wartime measures' for the gathering of the country's most important political and business figures. China correspondent Nathan van der Klippe joins the show to discuss the NPC and the notion in China that it has been amongst the most competent countries in the world in terms of handling the Covid-19 crisis.  

7.32 The House

A weekly digest of the events in Parliament with Daniela Maoate-Cox and Phil Smith.

7:45 Calling Home: Chene Wales-Baillie in Mpumalanga

South African-born Kiwi Chene Wales-Baillie loved her life in New Zealand, and her family remain here to this day, but there was something about the animals and wildlife of the big game parks that ultimately drew her back to the country of her birth. She works as a guide on a game reserve in the Lowveld of Mpumalanga.

8:10 Eid al-Fitr: Muslims mark the end of Ramadan amid restrictions

The fasting month of Ramadan ends this weekend with the appearance of the new moon. Normally the end of Ramadan would be celebrated with communal prayer, but this year's Eid celebrations will be hampered by restrictions limiting the number of people who can attend a gathering. Auckland University student Zainab Baba joins the show to share how her family will be celebrating Eid.

8:18 Linda Clark & Richard Harman discuss politics and progress

Politics and progress are on the agenda for this week's panel discussion, which will be joined by Linda Clark and Richard Harman. Linda is a former broadcaster and is a partner with Dentons Kensington Swan law firm, and Richard runs the Politik website, and was formerly in charge of TV shows like Agenda and The Nation as well as being chair of the parliamentary press gallery.

8:36 How Covid-19 could change public toilets forever 

With experts estimating that a 'toilet plume' can travel six feet in every direction, and considering many public toilets aren't even equipped with lids, commercial bathrooms could be forever changed for the better due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Kathryn Anthony is a professor of architecture at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a board member of the American Restroom Association. 

8:52 Samoan economy rocked, despite no Covid-19 cases 

Samoa continues to have no confirmed cases of Covid-19, but like almost everywhere else in the world, the island nation's economy has been hit hard by lockdown restrictions. Celebrated Apia-based chef and restaurateur Joe Lam joins the show to discuss the situation in Samoa and the start of Samoan Language Week. 

9:06 Mediawatch

Produced and presented by Colin Peacock and Hayden Donnell

9:38 3MM: Gary McCormick on riding life's wave 

Three Minutes Max, succinct opinions from New Zealanders on topics of their choice.  Broadcaster, raconteur and surfer Gary McCormick discusses the philosophy of having a less tidy life and learning to ride the waves that life brings your way.

9:43 Professor Michael Baker answers your Covid-19 questions 

Public health physician from the University of Otago Wellington, Professor Michael Baker has been a constant and reassuring presence on Sunday Morning throughout the Covid-19 lockdown period. He returns to answer your questions and ours about the pandemic and what a move to Alert Level 1 could mean. 

10:04 Niall Ferguson: 'Cold War II is happening now' 

Renowned historian, academic and author Niall Ferguson says the increasing toxicity in the relationship between the US and China is a sure sign that we are now living in Cold War II. In fact, he believes it was well underway before Covid-19 hit. And he says it's very probable that things will continue to escalate. 

10:25 Gin Wigmore: 'I might have bitten off more than I can chew' 

Kiwi musician Gin Wigmore is currently based California, where she runs a boutique hotel with her husband Jason Aalon Butler. The couple just welcomed their second child into the world, with Gin giving birth the same day the US state went into lockdown for Covid-19. As if that hasn't kept her busy enough, she has departed from her label and is rolling out a batch of new music, kicking off with the powerful single 'Hangover Halo'.

10:42 3MM: Sara Walton on 'the next normal'

Three Minutes Max, succinct opinions from New Zealanders on topics of their choice. Associate Professor Sara Walton from Otago University's Business School shares her thoughts on the 'next normal' and building resilience for the future of work. 

11:12 Antony Dapiran: new Hong Kong security law 'alarming'

Hong Kong-based writer and lawyer Antony Dapiran joins the show to discuss the controversial national security law for Hong Kong which has been set in motion by China's ruling Communist Party, and is being seen as a major blow to the city's freedoms. 

11:28 Pulitzer Prize winner opts for life away from the lens 

Irish photojournalist Cathal McNaughton gave up what he described as the 'best job in the world' for a quieter life in a cottage in the Glens of Antrim after a glittering career behind the lens that culminated in winning a Pulitzer Prize for his coverage of the Rohingya crisis. He joins the show to discuss why he has stepped away from the camera at the top of his game. 

11:47 Roy Phillips still going strong 50 years after 'Girlie' hits No. 1 

Fifty years ago this week, British-born musician Roy Phillips was on the top of the New Zealand music chart with his band The Peddlers' smash hit, 'Girlie.' Phillips now resides in Christchurch, having lived previously in Auckland, the Bay of Islands and Queenstown. He joins the show to discuss the 50th anniversary of the track's No 1 billing, having his music played in the hugely-successful Breaking Bad TV series and his upcoming three-album trilogy.